The Indian U-14 women's football team edged out their Iran counterparts 4-3 in the semi-finals of the AFC U-14 Regional Championship in Tajikistan on Saturday. The Indians will face Bangladesh in the finals on Sunday.
Coming on the back of a hefty 9-0 win over Nepal, the Indian eves wasted little time and took the lead in the ninth minute when Sunita Munda punished Iran for some poor defending. Two minutes later, Sunita once again popped up in the 18-yard box and scored to give India a two-goal advantage.
But complacency almost cost the Indians the match as Iran staged a strong fightback. The Iranians scored in quick succession in the 21st and the 24th minutes, and took the lead in the 32nd minute.
Not to be deterred, the Indian eves played their heart out in the second half. Constant attacks were bound to reap profits sooner or later, and in the 43rd minute, Susmita Munda scored to put India on level terms.
In the 58th minute, Susmita Munda gave India the lead as she blasted her opportunity into the back of the net to make the scoreline read 4-3 in India's favour.
